Cross-Cultural Competencies for Professionals

The concept of cultural competence is increasingly recognized as one of the most critical skills required to effectively manage the differences generated by globalization and diversity in the workplace. The Winters Group has defined cultural competence as “a continuous learning process to develop knowledge, appreciation, acceptance and skills to be able to discern cultural patterns in your own and other cultures and be able to effectively incorporate several different world views into problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution.”

In today’s business environment, the traditional sources of competitive advantage cannot provide a sustainable edge. Canadian companies are becoming more international in their global reach as well as the composition of their workforce. The cultural capacities and global awareness of managers and professionals is crucial in transforming global diversity into a corporate asset rather than a source of misunderstanding, conflict and poor performance. If we don’t understand how to manage people from diverse backgrounds, productivity suffers and relationships deteriorate. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, 90% of CEOs believe that if cross-border communication were to improve, profit, revenue and market share would all improve as well.

Description

This workshop is designed to provide participants with a practical approach to raising awareness, gaining knowledge and increasing their ability to communicate and manage effectively across cultures. It helps business professionals understand and analyze business situations where culture may be playing a part. It prepares managers to better overcome challenges they confront when managing an international workforce. Through real-life case studies and participatory exercises, participants will acquire practical tools and techniques for recognizing and managing cultural differences and turning them into competitive advantages in the global marketplace.

Who Should Attend

Professionals and managers who work with multicultural staff, human resources professionals and international recruiters, government personnel, scholars and researchers, social and community service workers, consultants.

Facilitator

David Gray, BA, MA

David has over 35 years of experience as a facilitator, consultant, coach in organizational performance in Canada and overseas. With an emphasis on collective leadership models and transcultural leadership, Mr. Gray has assisted management teams in Canada, Russia, Latin America, the Caribbean, India and the Philippines develop effective individual and team leadership styles and improve their organizations’ performance.

As a Senior Partner for Universalia Management Group in Montreal for 20 years, David managed the International Project Implementation Practice, served as Director, Human Resources for 5 years and undertook a variety of consulting and training assignments.

David holds a master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations from York University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Queen's University.

Mr. Gray currently teaches a graduate course at the McGill School of Continuous Studies “Leading in Diverse and Global Workplaces”.

Nadège Firsova, B.Comm, MBA, PhD(c)

Nadège Firsova is an international business development consultant providing advisory services to businesses on international business opportunities, market access and best practices. She consults to private corporations and governments throughout the world on strategic international business development, global leadership and multicultural management issues. Previously, Nadège served as an advisor on business development initiatives for Russia & CIS at Bombardier Aerospace, where she facilitated the development of company’s Russia strategy and was involved in negotiations with major players of Russian aerospace industry, as well as Russian and Canadian governments.

Ms. Firsova holds an MBA degree from the University of Quebec in Montreal and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Commerce from the Sorbonne University (Paris III). Currently she is pursuing her PhD in Strategic Management and Risks at the University of Trois-Rivieres.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation & substitution requests must be made in writing to pd.conted [at] mcgill.ca.

Receive full refund if your cancellation request is received up to 14 days prior to the start dateof the workshop

Receive a refund minus $100 cancellation fee if your cancellation request is received up to 7 days prior to the start date of the workshop

No refunds are issued if your cancellation request is received within 7 days of the start date of the workshop, however suitable participation substitution will be permitted.

Please note that if no notice is given prior to the start of the event(s) and you fail to attend, you will be liable for the full course fee.

McGill SCS reserves the right to cancel an event up to 5 days prior to its start.